Gabby is a daydreamer who's mind gets the better of her when she deals with her parents' separation. She has issues making friends at a new school andGabby is a daydreamer who's mind gets the better of her when she deals with her parents' separation. She has issues making friends at a new school and cannot seem to pay attention because her mind constantly wanders. The whole book is told in verse and is a very quick, pleasant read.

For: readers wanting a quick book or a book in verse; fans of realistic fiction; readers wanting a character who is dealing with similar issues.

I am so happy that this author had more for me to read after The Crossover. This book focuses on a boy who's in love with soccer and the relationshipsI am so happy that this author had more for me to read after The Crossover. This book focuses on a boy who's in love with soccer and the relationships that surround him. We have a superbly encouraging librarian here and a picture of how being forced to read will murder the love of reading, which is something I have strong feelings about. It had a lot of similarities overall to The Crossover, but it was definitely its own book and I really enjoyed it.

This book literally fell off the shelf at my feet and I couldn't resist such an invitation. Emily is dealing with a lot and I found it very intriguingThis book literally fell off the shelf at my feet and I couldn't resist such an invitation. Emily is dealing with a lot and I found it very intriguing that we are given bits and pieces of events as the book goes on. I thought I knew the story and then a few chapters later it gets new info. At times I wanted a clearer timeline--I hadn't realized the book started immediately after the traumatic events until about halfway through the book--but it didn't seem to matter for other things. I also had expected there to be a very large school shooting and there wasn't, which added a new twist to the story for me. I'm interested in reading the author's other work and I very much enjoyed the poetry, but I was left with a few too many questions for me to give it five stars.

This book has a really interesting premise and I've apparently been feeling the books in verse lately. However, it didn't ever really follow through.This book has a really interesting premise and I've apparently been feeling the books in verse lately. However, it didn't ever really follow through. We were still given new points about the law at the end of the book and it wasn't really explained well. I feel like this premise would be better done with a longer book where more time was taken with the material. It also gave a mixed message. At first it seemed like it was stressing that labels were important and we can't--as a society--lose labels. But then the main character decides that their partner doesn't have to be a certain gender because they love what's inside. So, it seemed like it was both promoting queerness and sexual exploration while also stressing that we must label things to retain identity. It just got jumbled.

I went into this expecting simply to read modern day poems with a fairy tale twist. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find wonderful poetry and aI went into this expecting simply to read modern day poems with a fairy tale twist. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find wonderful poetry and amazing photography. There are photographs layered within the whole book and they work to compliment the poems nicely, much like how a strong picture book has words and pictures that work to enhance the other. I read this pretty quickly and I enjoyed every page. I'd definitely recommend it.

For: fans of fairy tales and realistic fiction; fans of fairy tale retellings; readers looking to discuss harsh issues (though it is told through poetry, so it is at times heart-wrenching and also not too graphic).

This book captivated me as soon as I saw the family dynamic, and it's safe to say that the story is more about that than sports. Basketball works as tThis book captivated me as soon as I saw the family dynamic, and it's safe to say that the story is more about that than sports. Basketball works as the foundation here. The poetry is at times both playful and poignant and I look forward to looking over it again. I would have liked to have a little more at the end because there seems to be a lot unsaid, but it is a beautiful book overall.

For: reluctant readers--it's very fast paced and the verse adds ease; fans of sports; readers who want realistic fiction or family dynamics; readers looking to deal with close friends or family moving forward without them.

Red flags: character death and health complications; early stages of romance involving tweens; hints of adults in sexual situations--"because when [the parents] stop talking,/ I know what that means./ Uggghh!"--which are very mild. ...more

This book uses verse to retell the two _Alice_ texts while also giving extra tidbits to the stories we already know. We get to see some extra things hThis book uses verse to retell the two _Alice_ texts while also giving extra tidbits to the stories we already know. We get to see some extra things happen to the characters and get a few questions answered. It did get very repetitive to have so many of the poems have the same cadence, but I also know that they were modeled after Carroll's work and thus supposed to fit his cadence.

For: fans of _Alice_, fantasy, adaptation, and nonsense

Not for: those who do not enjoy poetry; those wanting to read the full text instead.

Levithan does it again! In this collection of short stories, Levithan writes about various couples in their own unique relationships. Sometimes the foLevithan does it again! In this collection of short stories, Levithan writes about various couples in their own unique relationships. Sometimes the focus is on how they met and the romance around it, but sometimes the focus is on how the relationship dissolved and how they are moving on. Couples range from anywhere on the sexuality spectrum and I really love how Levithan doesn't tell the gender of the people right away in the stories. He gives some room for interpretation here and it's beautiful. Stories range from poignant to fuzzy to heartbreaking to beautiful. ...more

Kristina is recovering from quitting the monster and she's getting used to being a mother who dropped out of high school--except she isn't. Her responKristina is recovering from quitting the monster and she's getting used to being a mother who dropped out of high school--except she isn't. Her responsibilities are becoming too much for her and she begins to crave the monster like never before. She vows that this time she'll be smart about it and only get tweaked every once in a while, but the monster isn't always willing to let someone else be in charge.

Wow. This book just left me feeling anxious and wanting to hug people. I think that's the best way to describe it. I had to take frequent breaks to talk out my anxiety and I had to bother people that I loved through some intense text messages. SPOILERS! Kristina has to deal with the possibility of losing her baby and she has to think about if that's what she really wants, plus she willingly puts herself in contact with the man who raped her from the first book. I just had such a hard time with her thoughts and her actions never coinciding, mainly because I know that the entire story is very accurate in terms of addiction. The new characters that she meets are awful and they continue to fit in with the same types as from the first book, which made me angry beyond belief because she was continuing to put herself in these compromising situations. Basically, the book did a wonderful job with the subject matter, but I feel a little broken after reading it and I'm not in a rush to read the next one just yet. I think I shall have to read something warm and fuzzy next to make up for it....more

Hemphill's novel shows the events of the Salem Witch Trials from the points of view of the accusers. Several girls did quite a bit of damage during thHemphill's novel shows the events of the Salem Witch Trials from the points of view of the accusers. Several girls did quite a bit of damage during this time and this novel allows us to see some of their motivations for their actions. The book takes the "they were faking it all along" route and then goes into some of the connections within the community that may have initiated the accusations. However, there are still several places where the reader must interpret the events for themselves. This book took me a little while to get into, mainly because it wasn't clear if it was a historical fiction novel or if it was meant to be a paranormal book about the Salem Witch Trials. For those out there in the same position, I can assure you that this is a historical fiction piece. Knowing that, the book definitely became much more interesting and readable. Hemphill provides mini-biographies on the accusers and the accused at the end of the novel as well as a list of other sources to consider on the topic. As I said above, the book took some getting into but it was worth it in the end....more

Another excellent book from Hopkins. Three strangers are brought together in a psych ward after they try to kill themselves. Each character has a diffAnother excellent book from Hopkins. Three strangers are brought together in a psych ward after they try to kill themselves. Each character has a different reason for trying to kill themselves and the book takes time to give each person's point of view as they all go through treatment. This reminded me a lot of _Crash into Me_ but it had a much more realistic ending that made it exceptionally better in comparison. ...more

Another excellent book from Hopkins. Told in the same style as her previous book _Crank_, Hopkins explains the story of Pattyn, a girl growing up in aAnother excellent book from Hopkins. Told in the same style as her previous book _Crank_, Hopkins explains the story of Pattyn, a girl growing up in a Mormon family who has her first sex dream. When she brings the issue up to the church officials, she is reminded that even dreams are a sin which makes her question how her subconscious thoughts are a sin but the fact that her alcoholic father is beating her mother is not. As punishment, she is sent to live with her aunt in the country and there she finds more love and acceptance than she thought possible. The entire book was fascinating, from the discussion of religion to the events showing the movement to free thought, but I felt the ending was lacking. In some ways this can be seen as Hopkins urging me to pick up the next installment, but I was more confused and irritated by the ambiguous ending especially since everything until that point had been made extremely clear. ...more

Block's protagonist is a girl living in LA while living with her famous director father. The book goes through her various lovers and their relationshBlock's protagonist is a girl living in LA while living with her famous director father. The book goes through her various lovers and their relationships while showing how they correlate with different mythical relationships such as Love and Hades. Another fantastic Block novel written in verse, the book is fast paced and brings back memories of the beautiful instances of fantastical realism such as those in _Weetzie Bat_. ...more

A look at a family and how they're functioning after living through a home invasion. It pays special attention to Paulie, the 15 year old daughter, anA look at a family and how they're functioning after living through a home invasion. It pays special attention to Paulie, the 15 year old daughter, and Jeremy, the slightly older brother. Both have separate experiences during the attack and the book shows their different perspectives. The book, told in verse, bounces back and forth between the siblings and their thoughts. An interesting read, and one of the few that I've found that actually deals with the topic of home invasion, but there doesn't necessarily seem to be a full conclusion. Still worth taking a look over. ...more

Another example of narrative voices emerging through poetry. Multiple characters deal with life in Vermont during the rise of the KKK. Various opinionAnother example of narrative voices emerging through poetry. Multiple characters deal with life in Vermont during the rise of the KKK. Various opinions and ideas surrounding the organization and what they stand for. Some characters are led to believe that it is a pure and Christian group while others see it as corrupt and evil. Discusses the various ways that the KKK interacted with groups and people that it didn’t like. Brings into focus that the group was not only against African Americans but also against Jews and people that they felt to be morally wrong. Shifts in ideologies over the course of the book and reveals what is not expressed aloud though moving in narrative voice. Range of characters from a six year old Jewish girl to a sixty year old doctor. Cast of characters given in the beginning of the novel and four “acts.” A interesting and frighteningly insightful look at the power of believe and prejudice. ...more

Told in four parts and expressed through poems. LaVaughn is fifteen and searching for a unique identity. She hopes to become a nurse and escape the liTold in four parts and expressed through poems. LaVaughn is fifteen and searching for a unique identity. She hopes to become a nurse and escape the life of near-poverty that she has endured with her caring mother. She takes advanced classes and works to improve her grammar—-something that the other students and her friends despise her for. Her two best friends suddenly join a religious group that is not accepting of others and very extreme, something which LaVaughn is resistant to. She also falls in love with Jody, a boy from her past that has moved back into town. This love interest seems to be the main topic of the novel though Jody does not appear to return LaVaughn’s feelings fully. The novel takes great care to poetically describe the people in LaVaughn’s life as she struggles to place herself in the world around her. A quick and entertaining read. Interesting to examine through the different poetry used and how the poetry appears on the page. ...more

An exploration of different character voices and writing styles. The story of how an English class slowly connects through writing and reading aloud tAn exploration of different character voices and writing styles. The story of how an English class slowly connects through writing and reading aloud their own poetry. Each chapter switches from character to character only to be followed by their poem of the week. The characters interact with each other and tell their reactions, showing the growing connection between the classmates and their personalities. Deals with unique and interesting issues as the story moves forward. Issues of body image, teen pregnancy, abuse, racial identity, and others emerge. A strong account of community and identity....more

This book was wonderfully written. Told through poetry, the story is fantastically artistic and fun to read. In the story, Kristina gets caught up inThis book was wonderfully written. Told through poetry, the story is fantastically artistic and fun to read. In the story, Kristina gets caught up in the drug world after visiting her addict father. She thinks that everything is fine and that she's leaving behind her boring self until things go unexpectedly wrong very quickly. This may have some disturbing content for some readers, but this is definitely a very important read. ...more